News in brief: public health conference and fake news

Public health conference begins

A ‘National Conference on Revitalising Public Health’ kicked off at the Paradise Island Resort on Monday with foreign experts and professionals from the health sector.

Vice President Faisal Naseem, who inaugurated the conference as the guest of honour, appealed against smoking in public. “Even if we desperately want to smoke, we have to think about others and the dangers we cause them,” he said. 

The conference aims to formulate a road map to achieve the targets of the current administration’s five-year strategic action plan.

Home ministry launches campaign to combat fake news

The home ministry launched a four-month campaign on Monday to raise awareness among the public and media against fake news. 

“Fake news ruins families, businesses and it even creates discord between countries and sometimes is the cause for war,” Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdulla said after launching the campaign with Maldives National Universirty’s Chancellor Hassan Hameed. 

Senior journalists from Vnews, Mihaaru and Vaguthu along with three former journalists and presenter Mariyam Waheedha were appointed as ambassadors for the awareness campaign.

Mahaz appointed to Supreme Court

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih presented the letter of appointment to new Supreme Court Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir on Monday afternoon.

The former drug court judge’s nomination by the president was confirmed by parliament last week. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Dr Ahmed Abdulla Didi.

Met office predicts ‘above normal rainfall’ in November

“November is the last month of southwest monsoon and rainfall amount normally decreases compare to October. During this month, southern atolls receive relatively higher rainfall than central and northern atolls,” the Met office explained.

Rainfall is expected to be normal-above normal in southern atolls, it added.

Bravery medal awarded to nine soldiers

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday night awarded silver medals of bravery to nine soldiers who risked their lives to rescue people trapped in apartments in the September 20 warehouse fire in Malé.

The medals were handed out at a function held at the Kalhuthuhkalaa Koshi barracks in the capital to commemorate Victory Day.

“Stressing that the mightiest spear in the battle to protect our religion and our sovereignty is the relationship between civilians and the armed forces, President Solih said that Maldivians displayed the same bond of togetherness during the treacherous attack of 3rd November 1988, and later on during the 2004 tsunami crisis as well as the recent Henveiru ward fire incident,” the president’s office said.

Today on Twitter

RC Celta is delighted to announce a new official partner 🇲🇻💙 @MoTmv and @visitmaldives, welcome to our family!

Minister @ali20waheed and RC Celta president Carlos Mouriño will present today this partnership agreement.#VisitMaldives #SunnySideofLife pic.twitter.com/8iFEfoNaGb

— RC Celta (@RCCeltaEN) November 4, 2019

Maldives Stock Exchange presented all listed companies on the Main Board of the Exchange, a Token of Listing at the Capital Market Forum 2019. #CMForum2019 pic.twitter.com/BfT6HwnIYq

— MSE (@StockExchangeMV) November 4, 2019

Congratulations HE Minister @Ameenx for envisioning National Conference on Revitalizing Public Health. Acknowledging high level commitment, WHO as trusted & reliable partner stands committed to support advancing public health agenda for healthier population in Maldives. pic.twitter.com/MYREuQqZXp

— WHO Maldives (@WHOMaldives) November 4, 2019

Hon Justice Uz. Adam Mohamed Abdulla, Hon Justice Uz. Abdul Ghanee Mohamed & Hon Justice Uz. Mohamed Niyaz have departed to London to participate "Justice, Fairness and the Rule of Law: Better Legal Systems, Better Legal Governance Workshop" conducted by PAI from 4-8 November. pic.twitter.com/gWUMY6Fbut

— Maldives Judiciary (@judiciarymv) November 4, 2019

@NCTCMaldives conducts a training session on Strategic Communications for P/CVE focused on stakeholders from govt agencies. At the opening session DG stressed upon the vital role of concerning committees and information authorities in strategic communications. @UNDPMaldives pic.twitter.com/GCQRnUy3hY

— National Counter Terrorism Centre – Maldives (@NCTCMaldives) November 4, 2019

How much do you know about #Maldivian #culture? Discover the country’s unique crafts, #cuisine and community in this photo essay. #Ad Paid and presented by @VisitMaldives. #travel

— BBC StoryWorks (@BBCStoryWorks) November 4, 2019

STEM Fest 2019 is this weekend!!!

Come experience the all new ThakuruWars! Meet the up and coming Maldivian game developers @TheArcils

On November 8th and 9th @ Central Park, Hulhumale, 4pm to 11pm.#stemfest pic.twitter.com/GcIoAGSPDP

— Women in Tech Maldives (@womenintechmv) November 4, 2019

“Soulscapes” a photo exhibition by the esteemed photojournalist @GmbAkash for the first time in the Maldives!

Drop by the National Art Gallery between 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 10pm to view the powerful photographs in person.https://t.co/wqwfJ6TMvG

— Fine Art Maldives (@FineArtMaldives) November 4, 2019

Honoured to be a part of Victory Day celebrations in the presence of President, Def Min and CDF. 3 Nov is a historical day for Maldives and India-Maldives relations. India is committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Maldives. @CDFofMNDF@MNDF_Official pic.twitter.com/PqV0NhSo6K

— India in Maldives (@EoIMaldives) November 4, 2019

"HEP @ibusolih's Govt greatly values the lives of our soldiers, who put nation first. Hence Govt gives high priority to training them, getting them modern equipment & fulfilling their welfare needs" – Hon. Defence Minister @MariyaDidi at official Victory Day function pic.twitter.com/y5ZmdArXVU

— Ministry of Defence (@MoDmv) November 4, 2019

President @ibusolih attends a function held by MNDF to mark this year’s Victory Day pic.twitter.com/IqENTbq2BQ

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) November 3, 2019